as far up as Frank could descry, a
great number of baboons were to be seen, leaping from one resting-place
to another, with hideous grimaces, and keeping up incessant and most
discordant screams. The grotesqueness of their appearance was much
increased by their having taken possession of such of Nick's property as
they had been able to lay their paws on. One wore the blue cloth cap,
with the leather peak and white edging, which was a souvenir of Dr
Staines's establishment. Two more had possessed themselves, each of one
of his shoes, which he had laid aside when he went to sleep; and were
turning them over with an air of grave curiosity, as if to discover what
their use might be. Another party had seized the knapsack, which had
been pulled from under Nick's head before he was fully awake. The
contents had been divided between several old baboons, who had turned
the various articles to all sort of strange uses. One was scratching
his ear with Gilbert's pipe; another had thrust its head into a
stocking, and appeared to have some difficulty in getting it out again;
a third was enveloped from head to foot in a cotton shirt, his head
showing itself just above the collar; while a fourth was examining the
contents of the flask, which it had contrived partially to open, and was
making hideous faces over the taste of the gunpowder, of which it had
swallowed a good spoonful. Nick had fortunately awoke in time to
prevent the baboons from seizing his knife or gun. He now held the
latter with a strong grip in both hands, and seemed disposed to
discharge its contents at one of his assailants, if he could only make
up his mind which to single out for attack.

"Don't fire, Nick," exclaimed Wilmore, as he noticed Gilbert's
demeanour. "You'd enrage them greatly, if you were to wound or kill any
of them. They have been known to tear a fellow to pieces, who shot one
of their number. They're terribly fierce and strong, if they are
provoked."

"What am I to do, then?" returned Gilbert. "They've not only carried
off my knapsack and pipe, but my hat and shoes too; and I can't venture
to walk a step in these parts without them."

"The best way will be to scare them away," suggested Wilmore, "if we
could think of any way of doing it."

"I'll tell you," cried Nick, catching a sudden inspiration. "Do you
climb up into the tree on the other side. The leaves are so thick that
these brutes won't see you, and the branches are easy eno